Main navigation

Thameslink service must match ‘sky-high’ prices, says Anne Main MP

St Albans MP Anne Main met today with the new CEO of Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR) Patrick Verwer, to discuss ongoing issues with the Thameslink service and what improvements can be made for St Albans commuters.

Mr Verwer replaced outgoing CEO Charles Horton in July at the height of the rail chaos that plagued commuter services this summer. The St Albans MP was keen to discuss what improvements Thameslink will be making to increase their services between St Albans and London.

‘He certainly has a major job on his hands at GTR’, Mrs Main said. ‘Passengers in St Albans and across the country have had to endure a summer of chaos and only now we are starting to see a more reliable service. Obviously, big improvements have been made since the disruption in late May but there is still a long way to go before St Albans commuters are receiving value for money.’

During the meeting, Mr Verwer was able to confirm that the original May timetable, that was going to greatly increase peak-time services between St Albans and London, is scheduled to be fully delivered by December. GTR plan to add more and more services, leading up to a full timetable in December.

Mrs Main added, ‘Thameslink still have a lot of work to do and we must continue to keep the pressure on them to deliver a service that matches the sky-high fees they charge. News of the extended compensation for non-season ticket holders is welcomed and we must see continued improvements to the service over the coming weeks and months.’